Chapter 28: Who Gave You That Illusion?

"Ah, so tired! As expected of the ninjutsu in the [Scroll of Seals]. Just learning this simple Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags took me so long!"

Exhausted, Naruto collapsed on the ground, and the scrolls beside him were scattered randomly.

Mizuki, who was sent by the Third Hokage to find Naruto, saw the [Scroll of Seals], which made so many ninjas' hearts flutter, lying right in front of him. A sinister and venomous look flashed in his eyes.

Finally, he was about to succeed. It was worth all the effort he had put into setting up this trap.

"Naruto, so you're here."

"Teacher Mizuki! Listen to me. I've learned one of the ninjutsu in here!"

When Naruto saw an acquaintance coming, he happily gave a "V" sign to Mizuki.

"Oh, really? I knew you were gifted, Naruto!"

Naruto shyly scratched the back of his head, and his face couldn't help blushing slightly.

"Stop flattering me, Teacher Mizuki! You're just stating the obvious! Always telling the truth! It makes me blush!"

"Well, Teacher Mizuki wants to ask you a favor. Can you promise me?"

"What is it, Teacher? Just tell me. Given our relationship, there's nothing I won't agree to!"

Naruto patted his chest and promised Mizuki.

"Really? Then please sleep here forever!"

After saying that, Mizuki showed his true face. He picked up a giant shuriken from his back and put it on Naruto's neck.

"Huh~ Teacher Mizuki?"

The happy smile on his face froze. He stared at Mizuki with his big, confused eyes, not understanding why Mizuki suddenly wanted to kill him.

"Tsk! You stinky brat with the [Nine - Tailed Fox]. Don't you really think anyone likes you? Wake up. Everyone is just using you. When you're of no use, you'll be thrown away like trash!"

...

How many years had it been? How many years had he not seen such a look of disdain and disgust? Ah! So he was still the most hated one in the village.

"No! Sasuke and Sasuke's family are very nice to me. They're not what you said!"

He was unconvinced. After years of getting along day and night, he knew better than this pretentious guy what kind of people they were! They were really kind to him!

"Come on! Don't be ridiculous! If you were of no use to the [Uchiha clan], how could they take you, an outsider, in? They took you in just to use you!"

"You're lying!"

Mizuki laughed sardonically.

"Five years ago, the relationship between the [Uchiha clan] and the village hit rock bottom. A coup and the clan's destruction could happen at any time. Just when the two sides were at a stalemate, the [Nine - Tailed Fox] appeared. That's right, it's you!"

"The [Uchiha clan] was credited with subduing the [Nine - Tailed Fox], and the village realized they still had some use. The [Uchiha clan] took the opportunity and proposed to raise you so as to better control the [Nine - Tailed Fox]. That's how the two sides reached an agreement. Don't you really think they adopted you because you're innocent and cute? Haha!"

The images of Sasuke and his family flashed through Naruto's mind frame by frame. The warm moments of these five years couldn't be fake.

"This is absolutely impossible. I don't believe a single word you said!

Mizuki shrugged nonchalantly.

"These don't matter. What matters is that you'll die here as a traitor today!"

As he spoke, he swung a giant shuriken with one arm. The black blade was chillingly cold, slicing through the air like a shooting - star.

"Pfft."

"It's a [Clone Jutsu] clone!"

Mizuki stared wide - eyed in disbelief. When did that brat Naruto use the [Clone Jutsu]? He didn't even notice a thing.

"Idiot, that's not a clone. It's [Shadow Clone Jutsu]!"

Naruto walked out from behind the house, yawning casually with his hands behind his head.

"Teacher Mizuki, I've always been super curious. Are you overly confident in your own strength or do you think everyone else is a weakling? Who gave you the confidence to think you can beat me?"

"Damn kid, just you wait!"

Mizuki leaped into the air, spun his body as he fell, and sent the shuriken in his hand flying in a spiral.

The huge shuriken cut through the tall trees on both sides of the road and headed straight for Naruto.

But there was not a trace of panic in his eyes. He calmly watched the huge shuriken getting closer and closer. Then he slightly leaned to the side and nimbly and easily dodged the seemingly terrifying attack.

"Ah~ Mr. Mizuki, are you being polite to me? Really, there's no need. If you have other tricks up your sleeve, just bring it on. Otherwise, I'll go home for dinner."

Mizuki landed on the ground, his face red with anger.

"Kid, don't get too happy too soon! Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The huge flames suddenly raised the surrounding temperature. Accompanied by a blinding light, they rushed mercilessly towards Naruto. He just smiled slightly.

"Wind Release: Great Wind Turbulence"

The chakra condensed in Naruto's hand turned into a powerful blade of airflow and slashed towards the vigorously burning fireball. The fireball scattered like fireworks, but the blade didn't dissipate. Instead, it continued to attack Mizuki.

"Ah!"

After a scream, Mizuki fell heavily to the ground. The bright red blood seeped through his green vest and kept flowing. He frantically covered his wound and staggered backwards, struggling to keep himself upright.

The arrogance and mockery in his eyes were replaced by shock and fear.

"You... You monster, stay away from me!"

Naruto was quite speechless seeing him shrinking back continuously. It was Mizuki who approached him, so why was he blaming Naruto instead?

"Mr. Mizuki, can you calm down? It's really not a good look for a grown man like you to lie on the ground shouting like that!"

In a state of extreme panic, Mizuki didn't listen to a single word Naruto said at all. Instead, he continued to shout.

"A monster like you shouldn't have been born in this world. Your existence is just a nuisance to others."

"Hey, that's enough. Don't take others' kindness as trash and throw it in the trash can. It's about time!"

After a bunch of unpleasant words, Naruto finally decided he'd had enough. He stepped forward, grabbed Mizuki by the collar, and gave him a good pummeling.

Finally, under that powerful punch, Mizuki obediently shut up. His face was so swollen that it was impossible to tell what he looked like before.

Ah! The world is finally quiet!

Just as Naruto was about to let go of him and go back home, he saw Iruka running towards them.

"Oh no! Teacher Iruka, why are you here?"

Iruka held back his inner anger and stared at the increasingly naughty boy in front of him, so angry that he felt his lungs were about to burst.

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